STARAKIS. 



415 



Sub-Fami/y II. 

 THE STARAKIS. PHALERIDIN.^.* 



General Characteristics.— Bill short, broad at the base, with the sides gradually 

 compressed, and the culmen curved to the tip, which is emarginated, the lower 

 mandible grooved on the sides, and the gonys ascending ; the nostrils lateral, and 

 pierced in the bonyicovering of the broad nasal groove, with the opening linear ; 

 the wings moderate and pointed ; the tail short and rounded ; the tarsi short, com- 

 pressed, and covered with small scales; the toes three, and all united together in 

 an entire membrane ; the claws moderate, compressed, and acute. 



The Starakis are found in the Arctic regions, and especially 

 in the islands that lie between China and North America. They 



Fig. 204.— The Knotty-beaked Staraki {Phalcris nodirostyis). 



iive in small flocks, swimming with ease and celerity while in 

 quest of their food, which consists of Crustacea, mollusca, and 



<pa\rjp6s, phaleros, hazing a luhite patch. 



